Car coupler



June 6, 1944. w. METZGER 2,350,470

' CAR COUPLER 7 Filed Nov J15 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5 WilliamJ. liezzyer ATTORNEY June 6, 1944.

w. J YMETZGER CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y E N R OT Tl A lNVENTOR w & m M .m.

June 6, .1944. w. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER Filed NOV. 15, 1941 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Williamd BY 7%: er

ATTORNEY June 6; 1944. w, METZGER 2,350,470

CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 12.

l I un INVENTOR 1' i l' /g'lliam we? ATTVORNEYVQ Patented June 6, 1944UNITED STATES I CAR COUPLER,

William J. Metzger, tiona'l Malleable Cleveland, Ohio,

Euclid, 'Ohio, assignor to Na- .and Steel Castings Company,a'corporation of-Ohio Application November 15, 1941, Serial No. 419,329

21 Claims.

This invention relates to car couplers, and more particularly pertainsto anticreep means for the lock and to an improved lock operating andknuckle throwing mechanism. l

The invention is concerned with the types ofrailway car couplers havinga pivoted knuckle and a vertically movable lock for holding-the knucklein closed position. In this type of coupler it is very important thatmeans be provided to' prevent undesired upward-creeping of the lock suchas would result in unlocking of the knuckle. It is an object ofthein-vention to provide a'positive anticreep for thelock of ruggedconstruction which may be easily released by the lock" it is desired toraise operating mechanism when the lock for uncoupling cars.

My improved anticreep means is simple in construction and. has asubstantial overlap with'one of the parts of the coupler which mayberenewed when the anticreep lug becomes worn so as to restore theanticreep means to its original'condition. My improved anticreepcomprises a pivoted member on the bottom of the lock which underlies alug on the knuckle tail and which is withdrawn from anticreep positionby the same means that raises the lock. The anticreep means may readilybe seen from the front of the coupler so that a simple inspectionthereof will determine whether or not it is functioning properly.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel operatingmeans for raising the lock and for throwing the knuckle, one of thefeatures of which is a direct contact between the rotor lever mounted onthe bottom of the coupler and the bottom of the lock for forcing orjolting the look from its initial seated position. vA 'further featureof the lock operating'means is the provision of a positive locksetposition of the lock on the knuckle thrower. My improved lock operatingmeans also provides for increased power for throwing the knuckle due toan improved toggle action between the flock and lifter link and .due tothe direct engagement of theli'fter link with the knuckle thrower nearthe end of the knuckle throwing movement.

A still further featureof the invention lies in the positioning of the'rotor lever so as to prevent it from being hit by flying objects andthus eliminate accidental uncoupling by this means. Other objects andadvantages of the invention will be clear from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: I v

Figure 1 is .a longitudinal sectional view through a coupler embodyingmy invention; showing the parts in locked position,

Figure2 is a partial view in longitudinal section, showing the initialengagement of the rotor lever with the bottom of the lock, and showingthe, anticreep disengaged.

Figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal section, showing the liftingforce transferred from thecrotorlcver to the lifter link, a portion ofthe lock being broken away.

Figure-'4. is .a partial view in longitudinal section, with the .lock inlockset position.

Figure :5 is .a partial view in longitudinal section, showing,engagement between the lock and knuckle. thrower at the start of knucklethrow.

Figure 6isa. view similar to Fig.; 5, with the parts moved until thelifter link engages the knuckle throwerrj V Figure 7 is a .view similarto Fig. 5, showing the parts at the end of knucklethrow.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the parts in lockedposition. v

Figure 9 is a view-similar to Fig. 8, showing engagement-between the leg.of .lock and knuckle thrower atthe start of knuckle throw.

Figure lO'is a view similar to Fig. :8, with the knuckle partially'openand showing engagement between thelifter'link and the knuckle thrower.

Figure -11 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the knuckle fullythrown.

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view,

taken generally :along line |2-| 2 ofFig. 1.

Figure 13 is apartial view in longitudinal section, showing the lockmoved upwardly until the anticreep is in engagement, part of the lockbeing broken away; and

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the same relationof-parts as Fig. 13.

Referring to the-drawings, the head it of the coupler has a pivotedknuckle H having :a tail l2 and a locking face l3. Projecting laterallyfrom the knuckle tail at the bottom of the locking face is aprojectionId. The lock l5, when the part-s are in locked position, engages lockingface l3 of the knuckle and a wall it at the opposite side of the lockcavity to prevent pivotal movement of the knuckle. The lock has a leg I?extending downwardly'into an opening I 8 in the bottomof the coupler andis formed with a laterally projecting trunnion I 9. Pivotally mounted ontrunnion I9 is a lifter link 20 having a portion 2| projecting above thetrunnion and normally'underlying projection M on the knuckle tail.Extending downwardlyfrom the trunnion, link 20 has a portion 22 formedwith a slot 23. A rotor lever 24' is pivotallymounted on the couplerhead-rearwardlyof the lock on trunnions 25 and has a slotted arm '26which receives porengagement with arm 33. During the remainder tion 22of the l ft r lin A v t P s of the knuckle throwing movement force istranshro s o 3 p a v io s a m 26 with the mitted from the rotor leverthrough link 20 dibottom of link 20. An eye 28 is formed on each rectlyto the knuckle thrower. The transition side of lever 24 to receive anoperating rod 29 5 from the lock leg to the link is gradual and thus(Fig. 12) for rotating the lever and raising the a smooth knucklethrowing movement is oblock, as will be hereinafter described. tained.Surface 40 on the link slopes away from Referring to Figs. 1-11inclusive, the succesthe side of arm 33 of the thrower s'o'that only thesive steps in the movement of the look from locked outer end of surface40 engages the arm and thus position to knuckle thrown position will be,dethe force of the link against the throweracts at scribed. Projectinglaterally from arm 26 of substantially the greatest moment arm fromrotor lever 24 is a lug 30 which upon rotary move- V trunnion 36.Although the engagement of surment of the lever is adapted to engageunder: face 40 with arm 33 reduces the lever arm for surface 3| of thelock. By this direct engage rotating the knuckle, lever 24 has beenrotated to ment, or by a few successive blows if necessary l5 such' aposition that the force from the lever to disengage the lock, the latteris moved upthrough link to arm 33 is very close to being in wardly asthe rotor lever is pivoted. Upon movethe same direction as the movementof arm 33. ment of the lever 24 from the position shown in This directaction therefore compensates for the Fig. l. to that shown in Fig. 2,the pivot point reduction in length of the lever arm. Figs. 7 betweenthe lever and link 20, which is the rivet 20 and 11 show the position ofthe parts at the end This moved forwardly and upwardly, causing the ofknuckle throw at which time the force is still rivet to move forwardlyand upwardly in'slot 23. exerted on the knuckle thrower by link 20. Itand forcing arm 22 of link 20- forwardly. -At the will be'observed thatafter the arm 33 has moved same time upper po tion 2|-of link 20 ismoved away from the lock leg, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, rearwardly andwithdrawnfrom'beneath projecthe lock has no further function in theknuckle tion l4 on the knuckle taiL- As rotary movement throwingmovement,

of lever 24 progresses the lock moves upwardly In- Fig. 13 the lock isshown moved upwardly faster than lug-3B and the lifting force istransuntil the .upper end 2| of link 2|! is in engageferred to rivet 21(Fig.- 3) and link 20 which'being ment with projection M on the knuckletail, pivoted to the lock on trunnion I9 raises the 3 which constitutesan anticreep ll F rther lock upwardly. It will be observed that slot 23is undesired movement of the lock upwardly is thus formed of twoangularly disposed parts. The effectively preventeda d the knuckleremains selower portion of the slot slopes slightly forwardcurelylocked- There s, a substantial Overlap ly and upwardly and the upperportion slopes uptwe n the e g ging surfaces on link 20 and pro wardlyand rearwardly. As rivet 21 moves l1p.35 i n as will e observed f o Fis. 12 and wardly in the lower portion of the slot very little Moreov r,sin e the bottom portion of le movement of-link 22' takes place. Hence,the upof the lock is confined against substantial lonperend of the linkmoves only a small amount inal ov ent by Walls 4| and 42 of the frombeneath projection l4. However, after the Coupler a the ig t amount ofmovement of rivet reaches the junction of the two portions it the locklongitudinally of the coupler will have wil1 slide in the upper portionand very rapidly little or noeffect on the amount of overlap withdrawthe remainder of arm 2| from beneath tween the anticreep es.

projection I4. Thus the slight amount of jig- .Surface43 on the underside of projection I4 gling of lever 24 that takes place as the carmoves a radius o Cu tu e T (Fig. 14) shorter over the track .will notaffect link 22 to such an 5 h n t length 0f arm of link A he extent aswould withdraw arm 2| from beneath engaging u f e 44 at the end of arm2| is formed the anticreep projection on the knuckle. with a radiusslightly less than that of surface In Fig. 4 the lock is shown inlockset position 43 to s e ewdvcontect with Surface with the shoulder 32on the rear side thereof resttherefore, Wlth Surfafies 43 and 44 i egement ing on arm 33 of the knuckle thrower 34. It will so as S w in e13 and 14, rotor lever 24 should be observed that as the lock moves intolockset h accidentally struck whi e the trains in moposition the forcethereon exerted by the rotor tion and moved pw y so s to tend to rotatelever through link 20 is directed rearwardly and the upper end of l' k20 from beneath projecupwardly, thus the bottom of the lock is movedtion 14, the would first have to be Pulled rearwardly toward arm 33 ofthe knuckle thrower downwardly due the Camming and a positive lockset isassured. In the view face 3 against surface 44. This feature of my hawnth parts ar at rest, with rivet, 21 engaginvention is illustrated inFig. 14 in which, are a ing the lower end of slot 23 inlink 20. V isdrawn through the outermost point on arm 2| Figures 5 and 9 show theposition of the parts about the center 45 of trunnion l9. It will be atthe beginning of knuckle throw. The initial no apparent, therefore, thatportion 46 of abutment movement of the knuckle thrower is caused by I4which is below arc a, will preclude withdrawal the look, through theengagement ofleg |1 thereor arm 2| from beneath the abutment. Before ofwith the endrof arm 33 at point 35. The learm 2| can pivot rearwardlyfrom the position ver arm from point 35 to the center of trunnion shown,lock |5 must move downwardly an amount 36 on the knuckle thrower, whichis the pivot suflicient to permit end surface 44 to clear portion pointthereof, is substantially the maximum that 46 of the abutment. Downwardmovement of the can be obtained. As the knuckle thrower is rolock,however, must proceed against the pressure tatedby the lock, arm 31 ofthe thrower acts of the knuckle tail which is sufiicient tocause armupon .surface 38 of the knuckle and rotates the 2| to remain in itsanticreep position. Also-{in latter about its pivot 39. In a position ofthe the event that the lock should accidentally creep parts intermediatethose shown in Figs. 5 and 9, upward, with the arm. withdrawn part wayfrom and6 and 10, boththe lock leg and link 20 are beneathprojection L4,any further withdrawal in engagement with arm 33 of the knucklethrowmust be accompanied by downwardmovementof er. 'By the time theparts have reached the p0 1 the lock against the pressure .of theknuckle tail sition shown in Figs. 6 and 10, only link 2|! is in 15 asaforementioned and is therefore precluded;

age-50,470

Moreover, the slight-amountbf=vibration of the knuckle andlock" thattakes place as the train is moving and thecamming action of --surf-aces43 and 44 will-cause the link-tomove-back to the positionillustrated-in-Figs. 1'3 andl14. The placing of-surfaces 43and -44forwardly of the pivot point 45 of link 2i] as shown, hasthe-etfect 'ofincreasing the amount of abutment which lies below are a ar-id.therefore increases the 'camming action between those surfaces.

In Fig. l thecarrier iron -for the coupler is shownin dot-dash lines. Itwill be observed that rotor lever 24 has been pivoted onthe coupler-ashigh as is practical. and as=a result no -part of it extends below thecarrier iron. The rotorilever then is protected'bythe carrier-ironagainst fiying objects that may be thrownforwardlyand upwardly from the'track or the underside of the car. 7

While I haveillustrated the invention in connection with'whatis knownasa wedge lock in which the locking surfaces -on the lock and knuckleare tapered, it will be understood that the invention can be .used .witha lock .and knuckle having vertically engaging surfaces, withoutdeparting fromthe spiritofitheinvention.

The terms-and-expressions which I.-haveemployed are usedastermsofldescriptionland not of limitation, and Ihave-nointention,'in..the use of such terms and expressions-ofexcluding.any equivalents of the features shown and. described or portionsthereof, :butrecognize that various modifications are possible withinthe scopeof the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A car coupler having ..a knuckle, a vertically movable lock for. saidknuckle, .operating means for raising said lock to unlock said knuckle,and means shiftableby said operating means adapted in one position .toengagegsaid knuckle to limit undesired upward "movement ,of said lockand in another positionito allowiupward movement of saidlock.

2. A car coupler having. a.tknuckle,and-,:avertically movable lock, :a.lever pivoted on said coupler to the rearof said lockya link;pivotallyjoining said lever and lock,:means on :said :link adapted to engagesaid-knuckleitolimit upward movement of said look .when said linkisinzone position, and means ,comprising said .lever for moving said linkto, a,position,.allowing upward movement of saidlock.

3. A car coupler having aknuckle and avertically movable look, a levervpivotedion said coupler to the rear of said lock, a linkpivotedto saidlock and slidably joined to said lever, said knuckle having aportionadapted .to. overlie the upper-end of saidlink whensaid lockisin lockedposition to limit upward movement-of saidzlock, and said lever beingadapted to pivot saidlink'andmove the upper end thereof from :beneathsaid portion of the knuckle to allowlupwardmovement'of said lock.

4. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movable lock having adownwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, saidlever having a portion normally spaced from said leg adapted to bepivoted into engagement with said leg to effect upward movement of saidlock, and means operatively connecting said lock and lever adapted toraise said lock after a predetermined amount of direct raising thereofby said lever upon further rotation of the latter.

5. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movablelock having adownwardly-extending leg,-a" rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, anda-link operatively connecting said lock and lever, said leverhaving-aportion normally spacedfrom-said leg, said link-and leverbeing-con-structed and arrangedso thatupon actuation of saidlever-toefiect u-ncouplingsaid portion engagessaid lock to raise thelatter a predetermined amount after which further raising of said lockis effected by the actionof said link against said-lock.

6-. Ina carcoupler a knuckle, avertically-movable lock having adownwardly extending leg,-a rotor'lever pivoted to said coupler havingapair of spaced arms, and a link extendingbetween saidarms,--said linkbeing operatively connected to saidarmsandto said lock, one of said armshaving a portion normally spaced fromsaid leg which upon-actuation ofsaid -leveris adapted to engage the under side-of "said *legtoeifectinitial raising of said *lock after which further raising thereof iseifected bythe-actionof said link'againstsaid lock. 1

7. In a car coupler a-knuckle,-averticallymov able lock:havin-ga-downwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to saidcoupler, alink operativel-y connecting saidlock and lever, means on saidlever-normally spaced from said-leg adapted to engage said leg uponactuation of said lever to raise said lock,"saidlink being=adapted'tocooperate with-said lockand leversothat after-a predetermined amount ofraising of said 'lock directly by'said-lever'further raising thereof iseffected through said link.

8. In a car coupler-a knuckle, -a-vertically'movable andrearwardlyswing'able-lock having adepending leg; a knuckle throwerpivoted inter -mediate its ends and adapted to rotate in ahorizontal'plane, a rotor lever pivotedto said coupler, and a linkoperatively joining said lock and lever, said link being adaptedto movesaid lock leg into engagement with one-end of said thrower tomove thelatter toward knuckle thrownpositiongsaid link after a predeterminedamount ofmovement of said thrower being-adapted to =move into knucklethrowing-engagement-with said thrower to pivot the latter to fullknucklethrown position.

9. In a car coupler a-knuckle, a vertically movable and rearwardlyswingable lock having 'a downwardly extending leg, a knuckle throwerpivoted for movement-ma horizontal plane and having a laterallyeXtendingar-m, arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a "link positionedadjacent said leg and operatively connecting said lock and lever,said'link'being adapted'to move said leg into engagement with theouterend of said arm to rotate said'thrower toward knuckle thrownposition, -said "link 1 after a I predetermined amount of movement ofsaid thrower being adapted to'engage saidarm directly topivot saidthrower to fullknuckle'thrown'position.

10. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movable andrearwardlyswingable lock having a-downwardly extending leg, a knucklethrowerpivotedfor movementin a=horizontal plane, said thrower having anarm extending from the pivot point thereof and positioned rearwardly ofsaid look, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operativelyjoining said lock and lever, said link being positioned adjacent saidleg and pivotally connected thereto, said link being adapted to movesaid leg into engagement with the outer end of said arm to pivot saidthrower toward knuckle thrown position and after a predetermined amountof movement of said thrower,

'ing said lock and lever,

being adapted to engage said arm directly to complete the knucklethrowing operation.

, 11. Ina car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movablelock, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operativelyconnectthe upper end of said link underlying said tail to limit upwardmovement of said lock when the latter is in locked position, V

' 12. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movablelock, a rotor lever pivoted to saidcoupler, and a link operativelyconnecting said lock and lever, said link being pivotally connectedintermediate the ends thereof to said lock, one end of said linkunderlying said tail to limit upward movement of saidlock when thelatter is in locked position.

1 13, In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movablelock, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operativelyconnecting said lock and lever, means on said link underlying said tailto limit upward movement of said lock when the latter is in lockedposition.

14. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable andrearwardly swingable lock, a knuckle thrower pivoted for movement in ahorizontal plane having a laterally extending arm, a rotor lever pivotedto said coupler, a link operatively connecting said lock and lever,means on said link underlying said movement of said lock when the latteris in locked position, and means on saidlink adapted to move intoengagement with said arm to actuate said thrower toopensaid knuckle. I

15. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock,arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link pivotally connected tosaid lock and lever, the upper end of said link underlying a portion ofsaid tail and adapted to engagefthe under side thereof to limit upwardcreeping of said look when the latter is in locked position, the endsurface of said link and the under surface of said tailportion-beingcurved in such a manner that upon engagement therebetween said lock mustmove downwardly a predetermined amount before said end of said link canpivot from beneath said tail portion.

16. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lockhaving a downwardlyextending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler,a link pivoted to said lock and lever, said link having an upwardlyextending arm underlying a portion of said tail when said lock is inlocked position and adapted to engage the under side thereof to limitupward movement of said lock, the under surface of said tail portionbeing so shaped that the rearmost point of contact between said link andsurface is a shorter distance from the pivot-point of said lever thanpoints on said surface forwardly of said point of contact, and the endsurface of said arm having substantially the same curvature as saidunder surface.

' 1'7. In a car coupler a a vertically movable lock having a downwardlyextending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to 7 said tail to limit upwarduncoupling saidarm remains in anticreep relacoupler, a

tion to said tail.

knuckle having a tail, 7

18. In a car coupler having a knuckle, a verticallymovable lock having adownwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, alink-pivoted intermediate its ends to said leg, the upper end of saidlink underlying a portion of said tail when said lock is in lockedposition to limit upward creeping of the latter, the lower end of saidlink having a slot, and a pin in said slot joining said linkrand leverand adapted to pivot said link upon rotation of said lever, said pinnormally being positioned at the lower end of said slot when saidcoupler is locked, the lower portion of saidslot being shaped to followsubstantially the path of travel of said pin during a predeterminedamount of initial rotation of said lever so that saidupper end of saidlink remains in anticreep relationto said tail.

19. Inacar coupler having a knuckle, a vertically movable. lock having adownwardly extending leg, arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a linkpivoted intermediate its ends to said leg, the upper end of said linkunderlying a portion of said tail when said lock is in.locked positionto limitupward creeping of the latter, the lower end of said link havinga slot, and a pin in said slot joining said link and lever and adapted.to pivot said link upon rotation of said lever, said pin normally beingpositioned at the lower end of said slot when said coupler is locked,said slot having a lower portion sloping substantially in the directionof the path of travel of said pin during a predetermined amount ofinitial rotaan; upper portion sloping in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of said pin so that when the latter slides in saidupper portion said upper end of said link is withdrawnfrom beneath saidtail.

' 20. A knuckle for-a car coupler having a locking face, a lugprojecting laterally from said looking face adapted to be engaged by thelock operating means of the lock engaging said face when the parts areassembled in a .coupler to limit undesired upward movement of the lock.

21. A knuckle for a car coupler having a locking face, a lug projectinglaterally from said face beneath atlock :when said parts are assembledin a coupler, said lug being adapted to be engaged by a movable memberon a lock operating mechanism .to limit upward movement of the look whensaid member is in a position beneath said lug.

tion of said lever and 1 WILLIAM J. METZGER.

